6 Korean American Picture Books

Please welcome my guest author today, Hope Lim with her newest picture book, Mommy’s Hometown.

Hope has a list that is personal, a group of Korean American picture book creators that have inspired her along her own author journey. We are also giving away a signed copy of Mommy’s Hometown. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

6 Korean American Picture Books

I have known these Korean creators even before I became a published author. I continue to watch them create amazing books and want to shine a light on their latest work. They all share the same Korean heritage but the stories they create are diverse and unique reflecting their interests and sensibilities. I have put together a list of these talented Korean creators with a short summary for each book.

Mommy’s Hometown by Hope Lim, illustrated by Jaime Kim

Mommy’s Hometown is about a mother/child connection that transcends time and place; a
connection that is rooted in love and sharing. When a child visits his mother’s hometown,
everything there is different from what he imagines in her stories. After spending some time
with his mother, however, he eventually feels connected to the place and finds the beauty in what
remains in a city where the old and the new come together. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Sunday is Funday in Koreatown by Aram Kim

A fun, cute story about how someone dear to our hearts can turn anything, even a sequence of disappointing events, into something special and fun. This story makes me smile big in the end. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Lion Needs a Shot by Hyewon Yum

A witty and sweet story about how two siblings encourage each other to embrace a nervous visit to the doctor’s office, including getting shots, with step-by-step, thoughtful, and child-friendly advice. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

That’s My Carrot by Il Sung Na

A humorous story about how two rabbits’ mischief and rivalry around a single, gigantic carrot eventually bring them together, with the rewards of sharing and a newly formed friendship. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho, illustrated by Jess X. Snow

A fascinating and heartwarming tale about a grandma and granddaughter, who share the experience of deep ocean diving, while giving a rare glimpse into a Haenyeo’s life and challenges. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Ready for the Spotlight by Jaime Kim

A charming story told from the perspective of a little sister who feels outshined by her older sister. This story of sibling rivalry and jealousy has a nice resolution of sharing the spotlight and appreciating each other. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Signed Copy of Mommy’s Hometown Giveaway!

We are also giving away a signed copy of Mommy’s Hometown. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope Lim is the author of I AM A BIRD, illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Candlewick 2021), MY TREE, illustrated by Il Sung Na (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2021), Mommy’s Hometown, illustrated by Jaime Kim (Candlewick Press, 2022), and an upcoming picture book, AT THE WINDOW, illustrated by Qin Leng (Candlewick, 2025). She was born and raised in South Korea and now lives in San Francisco with her family and a dog named Bear. You can find Hope on Instagram @hopelim_sf, Twitter @hope_lim or www.hopelim.com.

p.s Related posts:

Korean American books for kids

I’m half Chinese and Japanese and I married a Korean. My first multicultural book lists were on these three ethnicities as a way to show my children their heritage. The Korean American culture is so strong in America that this first post went viral.

New Children’s Picture Books on Koreans and Korean Americans!10 Picture Books Celebrating Korean Culture

15 Great Korean Folk Tales for Kids

Top 10: Korean American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)

This is the first post of mine ever to go viral.

15 Great Korean Folk Tales

Discovering Korea for Kids with Kids’ Books, Art and Food

I wanted to learn more about my husband’s family history so this is a very personal journey of discovery.

Korean-American Picture Book Teaches Multicultural Lesson

I don’t often do individual book reviews but finding this great Asian American book at the library made me want to post on it.

To examine any book more closely at Indiebound or Amazon, please click on image of book.

As an Amazon and IndieBound Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

My books:

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• Junior Library Guild Gold selection
• Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
• Starred review from School Library Journal
• Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
• Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me